Interprofessional post-ICU clinics help patients with post-stay symptoms

Thirty-five U.S. hospitals established post-intensive care unit clinics comprised of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and social workers who screen for common conditions after an ICU stay. They use Society of Critical Care Medicine-recommended practices to reduce post-ICU symptoms significantly, including using lighter sedation, getting patients moving earlier, testing their breathing to take them off ventilators sooner and removing family visiting restrictions. The clinics offer patient and family support groups. More than 5 million U.S. adults get admitted annually to ICUs, with more than half experiencing physical, psychological and cognitive impairment aftereffects that can linger for years or remain permanent. Teams also discuss with patients whether they might prefer palliative care instead if they experience a subsequent ICU stay. (KFF News article, 4/10/26)